Food donations are being sought for the fourth annual âShare the Harvestâ community Thanksgiving dinner and fall festival at Murrieta Mesa High School.

Nonperishable food items such as canned green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, instant mashed potatoes, and instant turkey stuffing, as well as frozen pies and turkeys are being collected for the dinner and can be dropped off at the school during school hours.

The free dinner is open to everyone in the community. It will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 17. It is being hosted by the Interact Club and Murrieta Rotary.

âWeâre trying to reach out to the elderly and economically challenged in our community but everyone is welcome,â said Michael Stowe, a math teacher who is organizing the event.

Stowe is hoping to feed up to 2,000 people. About 1,600 people attended Share the Harvest last year.

Along with the dinner there will be activities, games, arts and crafts, and a jump house available for the children. Entertainment will be provided and include student dance groups and musicians.

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served with turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, drinks, and pies for dessert. In addition, a limited number of Thanksgiving meal boxes will be distributed for families to take home. There is a limit to one per household.

Student volunteers, school staff members, parents, and Rotary members will cook the turkeys, prepare and serve the meals and operate the festival activities.

Donations that are not used as part of the Thanksgiving meal will be donated to local food pantries. For more information, or to donate to the food drive, contact the school at 951-677-0568 or Stowe at 951-677-0568, ext. 6303. Murrieta Mesa High School is located at 24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta.

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